Texas Senator Hegar talks elections, immigration issues

Immigration and tax revenues are just two challenges Texas state Sen. Glenn Hegar will face if elected state comptroller.

The Texas Republican visited the weekly Victoria Partnership meeting Tuesday morning to talk about the status of the political world and his expectations of what's to come in the next few months.

As the November election approaches and Gov. Rick Perry prepares to leave office Jan. 1, Hegar said he is readying himself for the changes that he and the people in growing Victoria will face.

"If I am successful in moving over to the comptroller seat, I can promise I will still do whatever I can to represent this community," he said to the group. "You're not losing a senator; you are getting a comptroller."

In front of about 35 to 40 businessmen and women, Hegar shared his thoughts with the group while others shared gratitude for the senator's hard work.

Jerry James, of Victoria, attended the meeting and took an opportunity to thank Hegar for representing the city in terms of environmental issues, including water rights and habitat conservation topics.

"The things that we've gotten accomplished in our relationship to San Antonio, we owe that to you," James said to Hegar. "Your service has been phenomenal."

Hegar said the immigration issue is one that cannot be solved through law enforcement alone but with the help of strategic planning of taxpayer money.

"It's costing $17 million a year that taxpayers are paying" to protect the border, he said. "Border security is a Texas issue, but really, it's a Washington, D.C., issue."

With regard to the state legislation, he said he believes a stronger relationship between all law enforcement groups would benefit the communities nearest the borders.

"If you hit the money, then it impacts them (criminals)," he said. "It directly impacts the state citizens, which the taxpayers can see - an investment in law enforcement and a decrease in crime and violence."

From the perspective of a potential comptroller, Hegar said he would be tasked with the tax system rather than the criminal aspect.

He said the ability to handle funds and arm law enforcement and surrounding communities involved with the right information to fight what's going on around the border would be his focus.

"Most people and most businesses, they just want to have certainty and clarity," he said. "Customer service to the taxpayers is first and foremost."